Principal’s message
Dear parents, teachers and students
It has been an honour to be the Principal of Eastmeadows Campus Principal for the past six years. It saddens me to inform you all, that this will be the last year in my role at this campus. However, my journey will continue as the Principal of Meadow Fair Boys Campus. The past six years have flown by. I still remember my first day at this campus as if it were yesterday. As such, I would like to recall our milestones and accomplishments during this time, including the main four areas in which we needed much improvement prior to my start.
Inquiry Based Learning
To improve inquiry based learning and research skills in our school, I introduced the CREST program. CREST creates an environment for our students to develop independent study and research skills. This has led to our students excelling and participating in competitions within Australia as well as overseas. I would like to thank and congratulate our Laboratory Technician, Mr. Jamie Astill, for his immeasurable support and unwavering work ethic. Thank you also to our teachers for their great efforts in supporting this program.
Project based Learning
Project Based Learning is another area in which I wished to further develop. PBL is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge then create connection with other subjects. In this case, we introduced our farming project. Students reared egg-producing chickens and grew sustainable and organic vegetables. Our Year 12 Business Management students then found a market to sell these products to and managed the finances which were donated to a range of charity projects on behalf of our pastoral care department. I would like to thank Mr. Engin Eryilmaz for his dedication and effort in achieving this.
Arts and Technology
Our Arts and Technology has excelled out of sight over the past 6 years. Our school was the flagship campus that introduced Robotics. I do not prescribe to gender stereotyping, girls should have every opportunity to develop and grow in areas such as technology, despite what society presumes. My students came first in Robotics competition in regional Melbourne and Victoria. I am immensely proud of their grit and work ethic. Our Performing Arts Department, lead by Mrs. Anna Gallo has also surpassed expectations. Our music and drama students have shone on stage – enthralling audiences and inspiring students to follow their passions. This year we held our first drama play and it was a great success. I would like to thank Mrs. Anna Gallo and Mrs. Madeleine Currie for their efforts. Our investment in the Performing Arts continues as we commit to building our 600-seat auditorium equipped with recording facilities, creative rehearsal spaces and function areas.
Additional Needs Department
Lastly, we have created an Additional Needs Department that not only assists students, but also detects early recognition of learning difficulties. The department takes immediate actions to improve needs, as it is the key factor for students’ development. We have strengthened the department with additional staff members like Students Support Coordinator, counsellors and mentors. I would like to acknowledge Students Support Coordinator Ms. Denise Rimoni’s efforts for creating an environment for students who feel free and comfortable.
To my students
To my students, you are the future leaders of this country.
Be good role models, use knowledge that you have gained at Sirius College, and put this to good use to help yourselves, your families, your communities, your country and the world. Individually and collectively, you can make an impact on your society.
More importantly, be ready to serve without wanting to be served.
Higher education holds the key to success in the open, competitive, and knowledge-dependent world. Sirius College promises to raise the number of university entries and continues to support students by showing them the right path. The future is what you make of it; much is expected of you.
Make Sirius College and our community proud of your strong characters, innovative, ethical contributions and excellent achievements.
We have almost come to the end of another successful academic year. As the year ends, preparations and discussions for the following year continues. Preparing teams and staffing is always a hard job, one that requires careful consideration and planning. We trust that you understand the efforts we have put in to delegating new roles and responsibilities.
2019 Management Team
I wish them a fruitful year.
A last thank you
Finally, I would like to thank all my teachers for their motivation to teach, parents for supporting us, and students for their care and determination.
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Mehmet Cicek